Colorado fall foliage forecast: 2024 guide to peak leaf-peeping

• Mid- to late-October will be prime time for most of the state starting on the 14th, according to SmokyMountains.com's much-viewed fall leaf map.

How it works: The website crunches historical weather reports, tree species information and other data to predict when the colors will pop.

Yes, but: Local meteorologists have a slightly different take, forecasting an earlier peak from Sept. 16-27 in the northern regions of the state and the last week of September for the Interstate 70 corridor.

What they're saying: "It's setting up to be a really good season," state forest entomologist Dan West told the Denver Post.

• Coloradans are in for "another great show."

Flashback: Last year's wet spring and sunny fall made for one of the most breathtakingly bright aspen seasons the state had in years.

State of play: Shorter, warm days and cool nights cue trees to shed the green chlorophyll from their leaves.

• Consistent rain is key to a colorful display, and just about all of Colorado's high country soaked up more than its fair share this summer, according to CBS4 meteorologist Joe Ruch.

Where to go: Top spots for leaf-peeping include Kenosha and Guanella passes and the Mount Evans area.

• To catch the fall foliage on foot, try hiking the Abyss Trail off the south side of Guanella Pass, the Sprague Lake Loop in Rocky Mountain National Park or the Raccoon Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park.